Prediction Coppa Italia - Atalanta BC vs Fiorentina

Coppa Italia - Atalanta BC vs Fiorentina
Match Time: 25-04-2024 03:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Atalanta BC

Indebted to goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi for keeping the scoreline down at Stadio Franchi, Atalanta suffered only a slim defeat in the first leg, played at the start of April, as Rolando Mandragora's superb strike split the sides in Florence.

The Bergamaschi remain in contention, then, for a place in next month's showpiece at Stadio Olimpico, and they could yet claim silverware in Europe too.

After stunning Liverpool at Anfield, La Dea recently completed a 3-1 success over two legs of their Europa League quarter-final and will soon meet Marseille in the semis; in contrast, their league form has stuttered over recent weeks.

Atalanta had won just one of their last seven Serie A matches before continuing their pursuit of a top-five finish in Sunday's clash with Monza, so veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini was glad to see goals from Charles De Ketelaere and El Bilal Toure secure a 2-1 win.

Gasperini's sixth-placed side still trail behind Roma and Bologna, but fifth spot would prove sufficient to secure a Champions League return, due to Italy's UEFA club coefficient.

Now looking to book their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since losing to Juventus three years ago, Atalanta's sole triumph in Italy's national cup came back in 1963, while they have lost four times in the final, with 'Gasp' being in charge for both of the last two.

For all his achievements at a club of modest stature, the tactical maestro would dearly love to lift a trophy to cap a long and admirable career, so securing a place in Rome will be his side's sole focus.

Fiorentina

Should Fiorentina retain their lead and progress, though, they will be intent on claiming their first Coppa Italia since 2001, after the six-time winners suffered a painful loss to Inter Milan in last year's final.

Only one step away from returning to the same stage this season, the Tuscan club are also within touching distance of reaching a second straight Europa Conference League final, having eliminated Viktoria Plzen last week to set up a contest with Club Brugge in the semis.

Now renowned as cup specialists, Fiorentina have at least made the Coppa's final four in all three of Vincenzo Italiano's seasons in charge, but silverware still eludes a much-admired coach who has already signalled his intent to leave Florence this summer.

Winning either competition is surely the likeliest route back into Europe for a side struggling to match expectations in Serie A, where they currently sit ninth - some seven points behind Wednesday's opponents.

The Viola's most recent league meeting with Atalanta was postponed shortly before kickoff, when director Joe Barone was taken ill - he subsequently passed away, and a tribute was paid ahead of the first leg - but they defeated La Dea 3-2 at Stadio Franchi last September.

Having just enjoyed their first Serie A away win since December - beating rock-bottom Salernitana on Sunday, via late goals from Jonathan Ikone and Christian Kouame - a repeat result in Bergamo would be more than welcome.

Prediction: Atalanta BC 2-1 Fiorentina